God only knows how much I’d love you if you let me
but I can’t break through at all

“May I be excused?” Quinn asked softly, barely looking up at Mrs. Puckerman. Puck’s mother nodded, and Quinn stood up, taking her plate to the sink and rinsing it before turning, leaving the dining room and swiftly moving upstairs, into her room, shutting the door behind her. Puck watched her as she left, his face hardened. She had been doing this for the past few weeks now, only leaving her room for meals and school, otherwise locking herself up in the room and not leaving until everyone else was asleep. Puck had tried talking to her, but every time she would feign morning sickness and push her way into the bathroom, waiting until he left to come out. He was worried about their baby, but more so, about her.

“Excuse me,” he muttered, pushing away from the table and standing up, ignoring his mother’s blatant look that read get back here! He left his plate there, practically dashing up the stairs to Quinn’s room. He knocked once, twice, and after receiving no answer, pushed the door open.

“I could’ve been changing.” Quinn said flatly, sitting on her bed cross-legged, staring up at Puck.

“It’s nothing I wouldn’t have already seen.” He commented, moving into her room and shutting the door behind him. She rolled her eyes.

“Get out.”

“My house, babe.” He settled into the chair near the desk, staring at her. She stared back, still able to compose herself like an icy queen despite the fact her hair was messy and her stomach was swollen. She said nothing and yet the waves of leave me alone were still getting across to Puck loud and clear. He ignored them though. He was good at ignoring things.

“What’s wrong?” He asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Nothing. Everything.” She said, staring down at her hands. He wheeled the chair closer to the bed slowly, afraid he might spook her and she’d run off.

“You can talk to me, you know. I know I’m kind of to blame for this whole thing,”

“Kind of?”

“Okay, so most of it is my fault, but that doesn’t mean you have to ignore me, you know. We’re living in the same house, you can’t keep ignoring me.”

“Watch me.”

“Q, please.” His voice was soft, gentle, like he was coaxing her out of her shell or something. He just wanted the girl he loved back, the one who was confident and radiant and glowed when she spoke. She stared at him, all false fierceness, until the façade fell and her face crumpled.

“I’m terrified.” She whispered, burying her face in her hands. “I can’t do this.” Her body began to shake and Puck threw abandon out the window, crawling off the chair and onto the bed, towards her. His arms wrapped around her and she leaned into him, no sign of protest in her muscles. She buried her face into his shoulder and he could feel the salty tears leaking through his shirt. Her tiny hands clung to his shirt like a lifeline as she shook and cried, weeks of pent up frustration, sadness, and desperation came pouring out. He just held her, letting her cry onto his shoulder until she had slowed down enough to speak.

“You can do this, Q. You are brave, and strong. I believe in you.” She looked up at him, fear still in her eyes.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m all alone, like it’s just me and this child, who I can’t take care of, this child who deserves what I can’t give her.”

“You’re not alone. I’m here, Q, I’m here.”

“What if something’s wrong with her? What if I’ve done something wrong and she ends up punished for it?” She whispered frantically, her eyes darting quickly between his, unable to rest in one spot.

“Nothing is wrong with her. She’s going to come out beautiful and healthy.” She didn’t reply, just rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. He could feel her breath on his neck, light and warm. He continued to hold her, gently rocking back and forth, soothing her like he used to do to his sister. He waited until she had calmed down again, until her breathing had returned to a normal rate, before speaking.

“You shouldn’t hole yourself up like this, Quinn. You’re never alone. I’m here for you.” He whispered, gently kissing the top of her head. His hand traveled down her back, coming around to rest on her stomach. “For the both of you.” Her hand moved up, resting on his.

“Thank you.” She whispered almost inaudibly, her thumb brushing against the top of his hand. “For everything.”

“Of course, Q.” He murmured. I love you, he added silently, kissing the top of her head again.

“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” She mumbled, leaning back a little to look at him. He nodded, his eyes meeting hers. She smiled slightly. It wasn’t a grin, or even a toothy smile. Just the corners of her lips turning up and her eyes brightening a bit, but it was more than he had seen in awhile, and for that, he was grateful. She lay down on the bed, and he pulled the covers over both of them, putting his arm around her protectively. She buried her face in his chest and he stroked her hair until he was sure she was asleep.

“I love you,” he murmured, pulling his arm a bit tighter and pulling her a bit closer.

“I love you too,” she whispered back, nestling closer to him. His eyes widened but he said nothing else, just let a ghost of a smile trace over his lips before he closed his eyes, following her into sleep.